Area news in brief: Nov. 15, 2010

Published: Monday, November 15, 2010 at 10:39 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 15, 2010 at 10:39 a.m.

HOUMA — The local outreach centers for the Small Business Administration are scheduled to close this week, but businesses may still apply for disaster-recovery loans through Feb. 7.

Since May, the agency has approved almost $14.1 million in low-interest loans to small businesses and extended repayment deadlines to 330 existing SBA borrowers. It also issued $70 million worth of disaster loans to more than 300 homeowners. Small businesses can borrow up to $2 million at a rate of 4 percent for terms of up to 30 years.

<p class="bold allcaps">Local SBA offices closing</p>
<p>HOUMA — The local outreach centers for the Small Business Administration are scheduled to close this week, but businesses may still apply for disaster-recovery loans through Feb. 7.</p><p>Since May, the agency has approved almost $14.1 million in low-interest loans to small businesses and extended repayment deadlines to 330 existing SBA borrowers. It also issued $70 million worth of disaster loans to more than 300 homeowners. Small businesses can borrow up to $2 million at a rate of 4 percent for terms of up to 30 years.</p><p>The offices, which remain open through Thursday, are at:</p><p>- Government Tower, 8026 Main St., Houma. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. </p><p>- South Lafourche Public Library, 16241 E. Main St., Cut Off, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.</p><p>- Grand Isle Community Center, the Rotary Room. 3811 La. 1. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.</p><p>To apply, you can also call 800-659-2955, e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visit www.sba.gov/services/ disasterassistance.</p><h3>City Council meets Tuesday</h3>
<p>THIBODAUX — The City Council meets Tuesday night. </p><p>On the agenda is renewal of employee health-insurance coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield.</p><p>The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at 310 W. Second St.</p><h3>Food giveaways set for this week</h3>
<p>THIBODAUX — The Lafourche Council on Aging and Catholic Charities will have its monthly food giveaway for qualifying residents age 60 and older at:</p><p>- Thibodaux Civic Center, 310 N. Canal Boulevard, 7-9 a.m., Wednesday.</p><p>- Cut Off Youth Center, 205 W. 79th St., 7-9 a.m., Wednesday.</p><p>- Raceland Recreation, 241 Recreation Drive, 7-9 a.m., Thursday.</p><h3>Want to help a good cause?</h3>
<p>THIBODAUX — A non-profit organization is seeking volunteers to help run a free tax-filing service low-income households.</p><p>Lafourche Community Concerned Citizens will provide the free service Jan. 15 to April 15 to households making an annual salary of $48,000 or less.</p><p>For information, call Glenda Washington at 413-1048.</p><h3>What landmark do you miss?</h3>
<p>THIBODAUX — The Daily Comet and Courier will be running a series called “It Ain't There No More,” stories that focus on landmarks and institutions that no longer exist. </p><p>Send your ideas, photos or recollections to Managing Editor Dee Dee Thurston, 850-1149 or deedee.thurston@houmatoday.com.</p>